I can’t believe how fast this school year has flown by! Summer vacation is just around the corner, and so far I’m planning on spending as much time as possible at Camp Lulu and the pool. It seems like only yesterday I got the text message from Priti, just before school started, telling me that our new principal, Ms. Austen, ended the uniform policy and made my dreams come true. I still get excited, just thinking about it. Yay, Ms. Austen!

But so much has happened since then. I started my Sew Zoey blog, thinking only my family and a few friends would read it, or maybe no one at all. But it really took off, and through my blog I’ve “met” all of you awesometastic readers and learned so much from you. Sew Zoey has led to things I wouldn’t have imagined in my wildest dreams, like being picked for a Très Chic website feature and starting online shops for dog (and human) clothes!

I won’t pretend it’s all been fun and games. Sometimes it’s been a teensy bit overwhelming. And that, my friends, is the understatement of the century. But I wouldn’t trade this year for anything. I can’t wait to see what new adventures this summer will bring! I just hope it involves plenty of fun in the sun at the beach, which happened to have inspired this sketch.

“This is my favorite day of the school year,” Kate Mackey said as she and Zoey Webber waited for Ms. Brown, their language arts teacher, to pass out their yearbooks. “I love the first time we get to look through the yearbook.”

Zoey loved getting her yearbook too, but she wasn’t sure she’d go as far as saying it was her favorite day of the school year.

“I’m always afraid that there won’t be any pictures of me or that there will be a picture of me but an awful one,” Zoey said.

“You worry too much, Zo,” Kate said. “I bet there will be a picture of you, and you’ll look fab in it.”

Ms. Brown handed Kate her book and checked off her name against her list.

“And here you go, Zoey,” she said, handing over her yearbook. “Planning on launching any exciting new businesses this summer?”

“No,” Zoey said. “I need a rest from all ones I started during the school year!”

“The Friday after school gets out,” Dad explained. “Erica and I actually talked about the visit a while back, but we agreed it would make more sense to wait till the summer, when you were out of school and the studio wasn’t so busy. Daphne wanted to make sure she has time to show you around personally and take you out to lunch.”

Zoey hugged her dad and then started dancing around the kitchen in excitement, singing a little victory song. “I’m going to New Yo-orrrk, to meet Daphne Sha-awww!” she sang. “She’s taking me to lu-unnnch!”

“Actually, I was wondering, Zoey . . .” Her dad hesitated, and Zoey stopped dancing and singing because he sounded serious. “Well, I can drive you to New York and take you to the studio . . . It’s just, well, you know what my fashion sense is like. On a scale of one to ten, it’s a negative five.”

“Negative five is being way too hard on yourself, Dad. I’d have said you were at least a three. I’d even go as high as a four or a five when you aren’t wearing sweats,” Zoey joked.

“Well, since we’re going to the fashion district, to meet a top designer who is your inspiration, the last thing I want to do is embarrass you by showing up in some fuddy-duddy outfit. So what do you say we hit the mall tonight, and you can help me pick out a more fashion-forward outfit?”

“Yes! I’d be happy to be your fashion adviser,” Zoey said, giving her father another hug. It was really kind of cute when he admitted he was prone to making fashion faux pas. She couldn’t wait to take him shopping!

Later that night, Marcus and his band were practicing in the basement. Mr. Webber ordered them pizza for dinner so that he and Zoey could get an early start at the mall. It began raining as they headed to the car.

“You can have your pick of the food court,” Dad said as they pulled out of the garage.

“After we find you an outfit,” Zoey corrected. “Fashion comes first!”

“I should have known.” Dad sighed. “Duds before grub.”

Rain pelted down on the roof of the car so hard that Zoey almost had to shout to be heard.

“It better not be like this when school gets out,” Zoey complained. “My friends and I have important poolside plans, and the pool and the pouring rain don’t mix.”

Zoey wasn’t sure if shopping for her dad was going to be as much fun as shopping for herself and her friends, but giving him a makeover turned out to be really fun. Like when he went for his favorite style of pants and shirts and she took them out of his hands and put them right back.

“Nuh-uh, Dad. This is a makeover, not a make the same fashion choices over and over,” she said. “Don’t forget, we’re going to the heart of the fashion capital. You need to up your game.”

Instead, she made him try on some straight-leg black jeans, a button-down shirt with a bold stripe, and a sleek blazer. When he came out of the dressing room, she clapped.

“You’re right, honey. I do need you. From now on, consider yourself my official fashion guru.”

“We’re not done yet, Dad. You need a new belt and shoes, too.”

By the time they walked out of the store, Mr. Webber had a complete Zoey-approved outfit from top to toe. Zoey even picked out some new dress socks with a subtle pattern.

“I feel like a new man,” Mr. Webber declared. “But at this point, I’m a very hungry new man. Where do you want to go for dinner?”

Zoey picked a popular burger place she knew her dad liked too.

After the waitress had taken their order, her dad suddenly had on what Zoey thought of as his “serious discussion face.”

“Zo, I need to ask you something,” he said.

Zoey fiddled with the straw in her water glass, hoping it wasn’t going to be something awkward.

“What’s that, Dad?”

“I want to make sure you’re okay with me taking you to New York,” Dad said. “Aunt Lulu would have loved to go, you know, and maybe visit some interior design studios while you guys were up there. I know she also would have loved to have done the whole shopping thing with you. The problem is, she’s got a big deadline, and she just can’t afford to take the time off right now.”

“It’s okay, Dad,” Zoey said. “I’m happy you’re taking me.”

Her father looked surprised, but Zoey could tell he was also relieved.

“But, really—I’m glad you can be part of my big day visiting Daphne,” Zoey said. “I always wonder what it would be like to share with Mom all the great stuff that’s happened with Sew Zoey. And if you come, I know you’ll tell me what you think she’d have said and what she’d have done—it’s like having both of you rolled into one. Plus, it’ll be fun to have some daddy-daughter time.”

For a moment, Zoey thought her dad was going to get all mushy, as he sometimes did when Zoey talked about her mom, who passed away when Zoey was a toddler. But he just smiled, took her hand, and squeezed it tight.

“Well, I’m glad you’re okay with it, because I’m looking forward to being a part of your big day, too,” he said. “And by the way, I know Mom would have been so proud of you and everything you’ve accomplished with Sew Zoey. Just like I am.”

Share

Buy from another retailer:

Knot Too Shabby! CHAPTER 1 Fun in the Sun!

I can’t believe how fast this school year has flown by! Summer vacation is just around the corner, and so far I’m planning on spending as much time as possible at Camp Lulu and the pool. It seems like only yesterday I got the text message from Priti, just before school started, telling me that our new principal, Ms. Austen, ended the uniform policy and made my dreams come true. I still get excited, just thinking about it. Yay, Ms. Austen!

But so much has happened since then. I started my Sew Zoey blog, thinking only my family and a few friends would read it, or maybe no one at all. But it really took off, and through my blog I’ve “met” all of you awesometastic readers and learned so much from you. Sew Zoey has led to things I wouldn’t have imagined in my wildest dreams, like being picked for a Très Chic website feature and starting online shops for dog (and human) clothes!

I won’t pretend it’s all been fun and games. Sometimes it’s been a teensy bit overwhelming. And that, my friends, is the understatement of the century. But I wouldn’t trade this year for anything. I can’t wait to see what new adventures this summer will bring! I just hope it involves plenty of fun in the sun at the beach, which happened to have inspired this sketch.

“This is my favorite day of the school year,” Kate Mackey said as she and Zoey Webber waited for Ms. Brown, their language arts teacher, to pass out their yearbooks. “I love the first time we get to look through the yearbook.”

Zoey loved getting her yearbook too, but she wasn’t sure she’d go as far as saying it was her favorite day of the school year.

“I’m always afraid that there won’t be any pictures of me or that there will be a picture of me but an awful one,” Zoey said.

“You worry too much, Zo,” Kate said. “I bet there will be a picture of you, and you’ll look fab in it.”

Ms. Brown handed Kate her book and checked off her name against her list.

“And here you go, Zoey,” she said, handing over her yearbook. “Planning on launching any exciting new businesses this summer?”

“No,” Zoey said. “I need a rest from all ones I started during the school year!”

“The Friday after school gets out,” Dad explained. “Erica and I actually talked about the visit a while back, but we agreed it would make more sense to wait till the summer, when you were out of school and the studio wasn’t so busy. Daphne wanted to make sure she has time to show you around personally and take you out to lunch.”

Zoey hugged her dad and then started dancing around the kitchen in excitement, singing a little victory song. “I’m going to New Yo-orrrk, to meet Daphne Sha-awww!” she sang. “She’s taking me to lu-unnnch!”

“Actually, I was wondering, Zoey . . .” Her dad hesitated, and Zoey stopped dancing and singing because he sounded serious. “Well, I can drive you to New York and take you to the studio . . . It’s just, well, you know what my fashion sense is like. On a scale of one to ten, it’s a negative five.”

“Negative five is being way too hard on yourself, Dad. I’d have said you were at least a three. I’d even go as high as a four or a five when you aren’t wearing sweats,” Zoey joked.

“Well, since we’re going to the fashion district, to meet a top designer who is your inspiration, the last thing I want to do is embarrass you by showing up in some fuddy-duddy outfit. So what do you say we hit the mall tonight, and you can help me pick out a more fashion-forward outfit?”

“Yes! I’d be happy to be your fashion adviser,” Zoey said, giving her father another hug. It was really kind of cute when he admitted he was prone to making fashion faux pas. She couldn’t wait to take him shopping!

Later that night, Marcus and his band were practicing in the basement. Mr. Webber ordered them pizza for dinner so that he and Zoey could get an early start at the mall. It began raining as they headed to the car.

“You can have your pick of the food court,” Dad said as they pulled out of the garage.

“After we find you an outfit,” Zoey corrected. “Fashion comes first!”

“I should have known.” Dad sighed. “Duds before grub.”

Rain pelted down on the roof of the car so hard that Zoey almost had to shout to be heard.

“It better not be like this when school gets out,” Zoey complained. “My friends and I have important poolside plans, and the pool and the pouring rain don’t mix.”

Zoey wasn’t sure if shopping for her dad was going to be as much fun as shopping for herself and her friends, but giving him a makeover turned out to be really fun. Like when he went for his favorite style of pants and shirts and she took them out of his hands and put them right back.

“Nuh-uh, Dad. This is a makeover, not a make the same fashion choices over and over,” she said. “Don’t forget, we’re going to the heart of the fashion capital. You need to up your game.”

Instead, she made him try on some straight-leg black jeans, a button-down shirt with a bold stripe, and a sleek blazer. When he came out of the dressing room, she clapped.

“You’re right, honey. I do need you. From now on, consider yourself my official fashion guru.”

“We’re not done yet, Dad. You need a new belt and shoes, too.”

By the time they walked out of the store, Mr. Webber had a complete Zoey-approved outfit from top to toe. Zoey even picked out some new dress socks with a subtle pattern.

“I feel like a new man,” Mr. Webber declared. “But at this point, I’m a very hungry new man. Where do you want to go for dinner?”

Zoey picked a popular burger place she knew her dad liked too.

After the waitress had taken their order, her dad suddenly had on what Zoey thought of as his “serious discussion face.”

“Zo, I need to ask you something,” he said.

Zoey fiddled with the straw in her water glass, hoping it wasn’t going to be something awkward.

“What’s that, Dad?”

“I want to make sure you’re okay with me taking you to New York,” Dad said. “Aunt Lulu would have loved to go, you know, and maybe visit some interior design studios while you guys were up there. I know she also would have loved to have done the whole shopping thing with you. The problem is, she’s got a big deadline, and she just can’t afford to take the time off right now.”

“It’s okay, Dad,” Zoey said. “I’m happy you’re taking me.”

Her father looked surprised, but Zoey could tell he was also relieved.

“But, really—I’m glad you can be part of my big day visiting Daphne,” Zoey said. “I always wonder what it would be like to share with Mom all the great stuff that’s happened with Sew Zoey. And if you come, I know you’ll tell me what you think she’d have said and what she’d have done—it’s like having both of you rolled into one. Plus, it’ll be fun to have some daddy-daughter time.”

For a moment, Zoey thought her dad was going to get all mushy, as he sometimes did when Zoey talked about her mom, who passed away when Zoey was a toddler. But he just smiled, took her hand, and squeezed it tight.

“Well, I’m glad you’re okay with it, because I’m looking forward to being a part of your big day, too,” he said. “And by the way, I know Mom would have been so proud of you and everything you’ve accomplished with Sew Zoey. Just like I am.”

Product Image 1 of 1

Knot Too Shabby!

Zoey’s summer is going to be busy—but can she survive it without blogging? Includes “Sew Zoey” blog posts and fashion illustrations.

In the seventh book in the Sew Zoey series, it’s almost summer vacation, and Zoey Webber won’t exactly be taking it easy. First she’s going to New York to meet her favorite fashion designer and spend the day at her design studio. Then she’s staying for an action-packed weekend in the city that never sleeps. And the fun doesn’t stop there: she and her friend Priti are going to sleepaway camp for the first time! The camp has canoeing, crafts…and a “no technology” rule. How will Zoey survive six weeks without sewing and blogging?

Buy from another retailer

Praise

"Most novels about fashion end up being more about little divas than about the clothing; this is an exception. This story celebrates the rewards of personal creativity and risks of self-expression. . . . This book will appeal to a middle-grade crowd that isn’t into vampires and dystopias, as well as to those who create art with their hands."

"Most novels about fashion end up being more about little divas than about the clothing; this is an exception. This story celebrates the rewards of personal creativity and risks of self-expression. . . . This book will appeal to a middle-grade crowd that isn’t into vampires and dystopias, as well as to those who create art with their hands."

– Kirkus Reviews

"An aspiring fashion designer is the affable heroine of this first book in the Sew Zoey series. . . . In a smoothly written story of overcoming challenges with ingenuity and style, Taylor shows a knack for characterization and dialogue, and her detailed descriptions of Zoey’s designs will entice young fashionistas."

– Publishers Weekly

"Zoey Webber is a funky fashionista stuck in a gray-polyester-uniform world. The first book in a delightful new series, this will appeal to any girl finding her own style. Zoey is a bubbly and vivacious character who doesn’t let insecurities take command."

– Booklist

"The characters are enjoyable and well developed, and the plot is humorous and entertaining. The black-and-white drawings that open each chapter add a bit of fashion flair. With a touching ending that will leave readers with a warm, fuzzy feeling, this novel will appeal to young fashionistas."

– School Library Journal

Read an Excerpt

Knot Too Shabby!

Sew Zoey

By Chloe Taylor

Illustrated by: Nancy Zhang

Excerpts

Excerpt 1

Get a FREE eBook when you join our mailing list.

Plus, receive updates on new releases, recommended reads and more from Simon & Schuster.

About the Author

Chloe Taylor learned to sew when she was a little girl. She loved watching her Grandmother Louise turn a scrap of blue fabric into a simple-but-fabulous dress, nightgown, or even a bathing suit in an instant. It was magical! Now that she’s grown up, she still loves fashion: It’s like art that you can wear. Chloe has written more than thirty books for children and lives, writes, and window shops in New York City.